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s. 'PATENT OFFICE.

yIron Masts, Steeples, 8m.

E. S. BOYNTON, OF ALEXANDRIA, VA.

Leut-fs Parmi No. 773, dare/1. .umh 26, 1861.V

SPECIFICATION.

'ro ALL WnoM l1T MAY coscienti;`

Be it known, that I, E. S. BOYNTON, of Alexandria, Virginia, have invented certain newand usefulimprovements in the construction of Iron Masts and Spara for ships or vessels, and such other structures as require height and strength with' comparatively small buses, and that the following is a full and accurate description thereof, 'reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention consists in using for the desired structure flat bars of wrought iron or steel, made continuous in length from bottom to top, by riveting the ends of bars together, and winding them spirally from bottom to top, one-half tho number of' bars winding spirally in one direction, and the remaining half' winding spirally around in the opposite direction. I

There the bars cross each other they are riveted securely together, and thus it is diagonally braced from bottom to top, presenting as sti a structure as may be desired, braced in every direction, and stronger and steadier than any structure of equal size and height can be built with the same quantity of' material.

Fig. 1st represents a section of. a ships mast, which shows fullyl the principle of this invention.

The usc of flat bars of iron or steel extending from bottom to top of the structure, crossing each other diagonally and riveted firmly together at the points of crossing, without the aid of any longitudinal ribs, or circular ribs for-support, constitutes the principal feature 'of this invention; the structure depending for its strength 0n the continuous spiral or diagonal braces formed by the fiat bars.

It is this particular feature .which distinguishes it broadly from many structures which would aty first view appear to be similar in construction.- For instance,

2 U. S. PATENT OFFICE, 1861.-No. 773.

Boyntons Improvement n Iron Masts, Steepka, dc.

nothing is more common than lattice' bridges and roofs of houses supported by lattice braces. So also have tubular bridges been constructed of continuous plates riveted together, and .the Patent Oice shows' a tubular bridge with spiral braces crossing each other; but these, as well as all other structures known to me, dier from my invention in this, that, Where the open lattice brace is used, it is always supported by longitudinal ribs, or beams, or circular ribs, or by frame work within the structure, to aid the lattice brace; besides, in all these cases the structure lies horizontally, and is supported at the ends. 4

I My invention'is for the construction of perpendicular structures with comparative small bases, where the great object 4is to get height and strength with the least practicable weight. The great advantage of this mode of structure, as applicable to ships masts, is apparent from the fact that it will reduce the Weight of the timber mastsl now used about two-thirds, giving to an iron mast constructed as herein shown, the advantage of being really cheaper, and only about on -third the weight of the timber masts in common use, yet at the same time stronger. The calculation of weight here referred to is made in comparison with the mast of a frigate. Having determined the width and thickness of the iron bars to be used in the construction of a mast, which depends on the size and height of the mast to be made, I cause the iron bars to be drawn between dies, to give them the desired spiral curve where they are too stili` to be readily bent, and then punched at the required points of intersection, which is a matter of mere calculation after the size and form of the structure have vbeen determined on. In commencing, the bars should be of unequal lengths, commencing with the base to which they arev secured, so that the joining of the endslof the bars will not be in the same horizontal plane, for if they I were, the strength of the structure would depend on the rivets or bolts which secure the ends of the bars together, instead of the bars themselves. But, by

breaking the joints, the strength is greatly increased. Where great height and strength are required, the hars of iron should be both wider and thicker at the base than at the top, gradually decreasing from bottom to top. l If the structure is in form of' a cone, and the top greatly smaller than the base, the bars must so decrease in size as to admit room for riveting them together at the smaller end, or some few of the bars may be stopped short of' the top, taking care to continue a sufficient number to the top to give the required strength.

The mode of stepping the mast will readily occur to any mechanic. In place of building the mast, and then putting it lin place, where large structures are to be used, as in large ships, the bars being punched and prepared, and a circular Wooden frame on which to begin it, the structure may be as readily put ltogether as any ordinary framing, and by means of a. smallv portable forge the riveting may be expedited, and the mast built in the ship. As the structure progresses, it affords the best means of scaffolding, and thus may the whole mast be built, or only so much as generally constitutes the main mast, and the remainder or top mast be constructed below and hoisted in place, taking care that the ends of the two parts should be so united as to make thc bars continuous and of equal strength with U. S. PATENT OFFICE, 1861.-No. 773. 3j

` Boyntona Impmvennt in Iron Hasta, Sleepka, the.v a

the remainder of the Work. The size otfthe masts in large ships causes them to occupy much room, so that, when constructed as above, the lower portions may be made Awater-tight, and readily be converted into water tanks, and the water conveyed by pipes to different parts of the ship, or they may be fitted up as receptacles for various things, and thus economize space. The necessaryixtures for attached to them as to timber masts, and themode of doing it will suggest itself to the builder. I have suggested the use of ilat bars of.' 1ron,but it is apparent that for the upper part of the mast, or top mast or any portion of it, Het bars of steel may be substitutedv for the flat hars of iron, andl the mast be made still lighter and more elastic, and so may bolts with nuts be substituted for rivets without departing from the s'pirit of this invention. It is sometimes necessary to cut away masts; if constructed as above, they would be less top-heavy than the timber masts, and, therefore, the necessity would be less; but it is practicable to substitute bolts for rivets in a section of the mast, so that by unscrewing them the ends of the bars would all be separated, and the mast would fall.

This principle ofcontinucus flat bars, secured by diagonal or spiral braces applied to perpendicular structures, renders unnecessary the use of columns for sustaining the Weight, and introduces many improvements in the construction of high and lofty structures. On this principle cheap and permanent lighthouses may be built,

keeper and the lamps'might be readily inclosed.

By this plan also spircs orsteeplei for churches of any required height may be readily erected, more speedily, much cheaper, far higher, and more durable, than hy any other mode of structure hitherto known. This mode of structure permits all the work to be done from the inside if desired.; the work itself aording the readiest means of scaffolding as it progresses. The iron bars all being punched to` receive the rivets, they could be put through from the outside and readily secured,

and the work progress with far greater safety to the workmen k less exposureA than where scaffolding forisimilar structures is required to be on the outside; or if the structure be such as to require a stairway, as in towers and lighthouses, then this may keep pace with the structure itself.

The structure being of iron, and the bars being at any required distance apart, and the whole structure well painted, it would present a beautiful appearance, without any covering, for the steepleof a church, as shown in iig. 2;4 or the whole may be readily covered in from the inside, if desired, by planks dressed to t the outer circumference placed perpendicular and secured to the lattice frame. There 4 U. s. PATENT OFFICE, 18er-Nurs.

.Boynlons Improvement {narran-Masts, Sleeples, c.

could be no reason for covering in the lattice work, unless as a mere question d' Y taste as to its appearance.

This principle may also be applied to' the construction of shot towers, chimneys for foundries and machine shops, and steamboat chimneys; the frame Work, oonstructed as described, may be readily covered in with sheet iron or any suitable material, and the structure being secured at the base would be stable, and' could not be blown down or broken o'. v

The circular form shown i n the'drawings is that deemed best adapted for strength, though on the same principle rectangular or many-sided structures may be bnilL But it is evident that the strength and weight of the structure, as well as its exact form, may be varied to suit the purpose for which it is required, without departing from the principle of its construction. In the erection of a structure like those designed, two or more wooden circles of the required diameter should be made, and to these the bars would be secured temporarily, to hold them in place until they are. bolted or riveted, when the frames may be moved up as the work pro gresses, each frame being reduced tol suit the diameter of'4 the structure; or, by making a model of the structure on an exact scale of proportion, the distance apar:

of the rivet holes may be calculated with accuracy, and the iron all punched where made, and readily ben'. to suit the curvature of the circumference; when, after the structure was started, the bars would necessarily come into place Without the aid of' a frame, and where they are very light, they may, in crossing each other, be placed under and over, which ..111 aid to hold them in place. v

On this principle also telegraph or lamp posts may be made, relying in every instance on the continuous diagonal or spiral braces for their support, without any longitudinal or circular ribs or internal framing.

Having thus fully described my invention and the various uses'to which-it may be applied, what I claim is The constructing of masts and spurs, and such perpendicular structures as require height and stability, by means of fiat bars of wrought iron or steel made continuous by riveting the ends of' the bars together, and wind-ing them spirally around from' E. S. BOYNTON.

Witnesses: i

WILLIAM H. TURNER, FRANK LovaJoY. 

